From Vision to Reality: The Journey of WHALE Respite Center
From Vision to Reality: The Journey of WHALE Respite Center
When WHALE Respite Center opened its doors in 2024, it wasn’t the beginning of a story — it was the fulfillment of a decade-long dream. What started as a vision rooted in compassion, inclusion, and advocacy has now become a life-changing resource for families across Northern Colorado. This is the story of how WHALE came to life.
Where the Vision Began
More than 10 years ago, Dr. Kristin Ceriani, PT, DPT, began researching and planning a respite center for families of children with delays and disabilities. During her post graduate doctoral work, Kristin was assigned the task of writing a business plan for a new venture and that is where the very first outline for WHALE started. As a physical therapist for over two decades and co-owner/CEO of Oasis Pediatric Therapy, Kristin spent countless years watching caregivers struggle to find skilled, consistent, and inclusive care.
She saw parents who loved their children fiercely but rarely received the rest they needed. She saw children with medical and developmental needs who needed a place to learn, play, and belong — where their abilities were celebrated, their needs supported, and their caregivers could breathe.
WHALE was her answer.
Around the same time, Jacqueline “Lacy” Hoyer-Helms, MA, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and co-owner/president of OASIS Pediatric Therapy, was having the same conversations with families. Lacy envisioned a place where respite was meaningful, accessible, and affirming — a place where children of all abilities were welcomed, safe, and supported by trained professionals.
Together, Kristin and Lacy became the co-founders of We Help And Love Everyone (WHALE), a nonprofit grounded in compassion, innovation, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child.
Kristin Ceriani and Lacy Hoyer-Helms: Co-Founders of WHALE
The Mission That Guides Us
At WHALE, our mission is bold and clear:
“We build inclusive communities where families who have children with delays/disabilities THRIVE through equal opportunities to live, learn, and play.”
This mission drives every decision we make, from our classroom structure, to our staff training, to the activities we design, and the way we welcome every child who walks through our doors.
We believe that respite is not a luxury — it is a lifeline.
The Vision That Propels Us Forward
“WHALE exists to change the story of caring for children with delays/disabilities by providing innovative respite, resources, and advocacy.”
We are here to redefine what respite looks like:
Supportive.
Inclusive.
Skilled.
Joyful.
And fully centered around the child and family.
Our vision is not just about care, it’s about transformation. It's about shifting what is possible for families who have historically been underserved, overlooked, or stretched thin.
From Community Need to Community Movement
WHALE didn’t happen in isolation, it happened because the community rallied around a shared belief:
Every child deserves a place to thrive. Every caregiver deserves rest. Every family deserves support.
Local businesses, families, therapists, donors, and advocates played essential roles in turning WHALE from a dream into a fully operational center. Grants, donations, volunteer hours, and shared passion all came together to build something extraordinary in Weld County.
Today, WHALE provides:
Full time care in our infant, toddler, preschool, and UPK classrooms
After-school care, school out days, and summer camp in our school age classroom
Saturday respite events for children and adults
Trained staff to care for medical and developmental needs
A warm, inclusive “home away from home”
And we are just getting started.
The Heart of WHALE: Love, Inclusion & Possibility
Walking into WHALE feels different. It feels calm. Safe. Joyful. It’s a space where:
Children of all abilities feel seen, supported, and celebrated
Caregivers breathe easier knowing their child is in skilled hands
Staff members are trained, compassionate, and deeply committed
Families find resources, community, and hope
Kristin and Lacy built WHALE on the belief that we help and love everyone - not in words, but in action.
The Dream Continues
WHALE is still growing. Still evolving. Still reaching more families every month. And we will continue expanding access to respite, programs, and community care for as long as families need us.
Kristin and Lacy’s dream has become a reality, but their vision extends far beyond today. They are committed to ensuring that children with delays and disabilities have opportunities to thrive, and that caregivers never feel alone in their journey.
A Final Word
WHALE Respite Center is not just a facility. It’s a promise:
A promise that every child is worthy.
A promise that every family deserves support.
A promise that together, we can create a world where everyone belongs.
Thank you for being part of this journey and this community.
Together, we’re making waves of change.
